Duke Moves Into Third Place At Puerto Rico Classic

Friday, February 29

Rio Del Mar, Puerto Rico

All Day

Duke University

Day One

Blue Devils Remain 13th In Latest Golf World/Nike Golf Coaches

Duke Moves Into Third Place At Puerto Rico Classic

3/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf

By: Duke Sports Information

RIO GRANDE, P.R. ? Duke fired a three-under 285 in the second round on Saturday to jump four spots into third place overall at the Puerto Rico Classic. Freshman Matthew Pierce shot a team-low three-under 69 as Duke's team score of 285 matched the lowest round of the day at the 6,902-yard, par-72 Rio Mar Country Club River Course. The Blue Devils are three strokes back of tournament leader Alabama with a one-over 577 through two rounds, while Oklahoma State second with an even-par 576.

Pierce climbed into 12th place with a three-under 69 on Saturday. The San Juan Capistrano, Calif., native is at one-under 143 through two rounds of play.

Senior Michael Schachner shot an even-par 72 in the second round and is tied for fifth overall with a two-under 142. Alabama's Matthew Swan leads the tournament with a seven-under 137, while Chesson Hadley (Georgia Tech) is one stroke back. Gareth Shaw (East Tennessee State) is third at five-under and Charlie Holland is fourth at four-under. Schachner, the tournament leader in par-4 scoring at six-under, is among seven players currently tied for fifth on the individual leaderboard. He is also tied for third with nine birdies through two rounds of play.

Sophomore Adam Long and freshman Wes Roach also shot even-par 72s on Saturday. Long will enter Sunday's final round of play tied for 13th with an even-par 144. He is also tied for third at the event with 27 pars through 36 holes of play. Roach, the tournament leader with 11 assists, is tied for 36th at five-over. Junior Clark Klaasen shot a three-over 75 in the second round and is tied for 54th at seven-over.

Third round play will open with a shotgun start at 6:30 a.m. (EST) on Sunday. The Blue Devils will be paired with Alabama and Oklahoma State in the final round. Duke has posted a tournament-best 38 birdies through the first two rounds of play.